Nigerian police in among the crudest in the world, making a study of what happens in their dungeons and by extension, behind the prison walls, very crucial. Police brutality is the intentional use of excessive force, usually physical, but potentially also in the form of verbal attacks and psychological intimidation, by a police officer, prison officer or other law enforcement officer. It may be carried out at the initiative of an individual officer, or in response to orders given to the officer, or in response to governmental or administrative policies.

The son of a retired Nigerian ambassador died in Kubwa (Abuja) police cell few months ago and explanation given was that the victim may have died by hitting his own head repeatedly on the ground, as reported then by AMNews Extra newspaper. Whoever chose to die in this way?

With Nigeria as a typical example, police brutality exists in many countries. Police brutality is one of several forms of police misconduct, which include false arrest, intimidation, racial profiling, political repression, surveillance abuse, sexual abuse, and police corruption. Its systematic use is one of the hallmarks of political repression and Nigeria has had more than a fair share.

Police brutality is closely related to torture. Torture could actually be an extreme form of police brutality. Technically, the term ‘police brutality’ is now generically used to cover all government security agencies – police, prisons, military, name it. One aspect of torture that must engage our attention here is psychological torture, which is less well known than physical torture and tends to be subtle and much easier to conceal.